Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog
Motorcycle accidents, like car accidents, have a number of causes. Most commonly, a motorcycle collision involves one driver not paying as close attention as they should to the road and failing to see the other party. Anyone who has spent much time on a motorcycle knows that one of the most dangerous moments for motorcyclists is when cars or trucks are making a left turn. This is when the car or truck is most likely to overlook the motorcyclist and cause a collision.
Drivers of cars and trucks like to try and shift the blame for motorcycle accidents onto the motorcyclists themselves, claiming that motorcyclists “ask for it” by choosing to ride a motorcycle. However, that is not how the law sees it. Under Maryland law, motorists owe a duty of care to everyone with whom they share the road, including motorcyclists, bicyclists, and those riding motorized scooters.
When the driver of a car or truck fails to keep a proper lookout and strikes a motorcyclist, that driver may be held accountable for their actions through a Maryland personal injury lawsuit. This includes situations in which the collision was an honest “accident,” since the fact that the driver didn’t mean to cause an collision doesn’t make the recovery process any easier for those who were injured as a result.
Twenty-Two-Year-Old Motorcyclist Killed in Left-Turn Collision
Earlier this month in Rapid City, South Dakota, a young man was killed when he was the victim of a left-turn accident involving his motorcycle and a minivan. According to one local news source covering the tragic accident, the collision occurred in the evening hours as the minivan was attempting to turn into a parking lot.
Evidently, the minivan was heading north and was making a left turn into a parking lot when it struck the motorcyclist, who was heading south on the same road. The two vehicles collided, and the motorcyclist was thrown from the bike. Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene. The driver of the minivan was uninjured.
Investigators told reporters that “speed appears to be a factor,” but the accident is still under official investigation. It is important to note that if the authorities determine that the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the collision, he may be found to have lost his right-of-way. If this is the case, the driver of the minivan may not be issued a citation for her role in the fatal motorcycle accident.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of Maryland motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Each year, hundreds of motorcyclists obtain the recovery they deserve through negligence lawsuits, many times after the insurance companies involved deny their claims or offer them low-ball settlements. Don’t take the insurance company at their word, since your claim may be worth much more than they are offering. Call 410-654-3600 today to speak with an attorney about your accident.
More Blog Posts:
Family of Fatal Motorcycle Accident Victim Takes Issue with the Determined Cause of the Accident, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 19, 2016.
Motorcycle Accident Victim’s Case against City Alleging Negligent Failure to Remedy Dangerous Road Conditions Permitted to Proceed, Maryland Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 6, 2016.